Hellos - and how we say them.

Hey people!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yes, I am that excited to be finally writing this again). Its been too long, I trust you have been good.

Anyways, ardent readers of this blog would know I just love to speak my mind. I type just how I talk and today, I want to talk about something that has been on my mind lately; Hellos - and how Nigerians do it.

It has come to my realization that my beautiful people of Nigeria seem to include "ha! You have added weight ooo!" with the simple "hello! How have you been?".

I mean, I do not understand why that would be one of the first things you would say to a person you have not seen in a while. in my opinion, I think that is downright disrespectful and insensitive.

As a young woman, I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I would step out of my house after minutes of self esteem build up in front of my mirror only to meet one human being that will now shout in front of the whole street, "Hey Maka, long time. How have you been? Ha!!! You have added weight oooo!!!" Chai! see my life outside, biko just lekwa. Previously, I would just laugh it off and say "Wetin man go do?"Now, that cannot happen again o! You have been warned.

I had a conversation about this with my mum and her response really surprised me. She said she did not see what was wrong in saying that - especially if it were true. It was also her view that I was influenced by the "white man's culture". In her opinion, they focus too much on rights, sensitivity and whatnot (which is what has put them in the situation they are in). Nna amaghi m o!. Although to an extent I see her point, I feel that if indeed the reason for airing your observation is out of sincere concern for the person's health, there are more sensitive ways to do that rather than shouting it out, making the other person feel like they are being mocked or attacked.

I could go on and on about this, but as I always say, "you gotta know when to drop the mic". However, I would try to conclude with this, "You have added/lost weight" is not one of the many ways to greet a person. #Udo